How to Convert a Dual Valve to a Single Mixer Shower Fixture | Home Guides

Read article : How to Convert a Dual Valve to a Single Mixer Shower Fixture | Home Guides

Converting to a single-mixer shower valve can be done without a major remodel of the bath.

A two-handle shower faucet is installed through two small holes in the shower wall, and a single-lever faucet requires a single larger hole in the shower wall. When replacing a two-valve faucet with a single-mixer faucet, you are left with the challenge of the two existing holes from the old faucet. You will need to repair the wall to cover the two holes from the old faucet or use a repair escutcheon plate to cover all three holes.

Turn off the water supply to the shower faucet; this may require turning off all the water to the house. Remove the handles from the dual-valve faucet. Remove the escutcheon plates from behind the faucet handles. Remove the shower head by turning it counterclockwise.

Remove the access panel on the back side of the shower behind the faucet area. If an access panel doesn't exist, open the wall on the back side of the shower by cutting the drywall with a utility knife. Open the wall directly behind the existing shower faucet. Make the hole at least 12 inches square; you can increase the size later if needed for more working space. Locate the water pipes that supply the shower faucet.

Disconnect the pipes from the two-valve faucet. If the pipes are galvanized steel, unscrew the union nuts that join the faucet and pipes. If the pipes are copper, use a copper tubing cutter to cut the pipes about 6 to 12 inches away from the faucet. If the pipes are plastic, use plastic pipe cutting snips or a hack saw. Do the same with the pipe that supplies the shower head. Remove the faucet from the wall.

Attach short pieces of new pipe, 6 to 12 inches long, to the new faucet. Use the type of pipe your new faucet requires. If it's copper, you will need to solder the pieces into the faucet. If it has threaded connections, you can use male adapters that will transition to the type of pipe you want to use -- copper; chlorinated polyvinyl chloride plastic, or CPVC; or PEX, a flexible type of plastic tubing. Some faucets will have a tub spout port. Plug this port by installing a 3- to 6-inch piece of pipe with a cap on the end.

Place a mark on the front of the shower wall where the new faucet will be centered. This location should be directly between the two existing holes of the old dual-valve faucet. Check the installation specifications that come with the faucet for the proper size of hole necessary for the new faucet to fit through the wall; it should be about a 5-inch diameter hole. Use a power drill and hole saw to drill the hole.

Place the new faucet in the hole that you drilled. Hang the new faucet securely in place by nailing supporting pieces of wood braces between the framing studs and using plumbing support straps to attach the faucet and pipes to the wood braces. Instead of wood you can use metal support braces specially manufactured to support plumbing pipes.

Attach the short pieces of pipe from the faucet to the existing hot and cold water supply pipes using couplings. If joining two types of pipe, such as steel and copper, use manufactured transition fittings designed to attach the two different types of pipe. Attach the shower head pipe to the faucet.

Install the repair escutcheon plate on the faucet if you're using one. Install the new face plate to will help hold the repair escutcheon in place. Install the faucet handle and the shower head using plumber's tape on any threaded connections. Place a small bead of latex caulk around the outer edge of the escutcheon plates to prevent water leakage.

Turn on the water to the faucet. Check for leaks in new pipe connections and tighten or repair them if necessary. Repair the shower wall if you're not using a repair escutcheon plate. Replace the wall access panel or repair the wall opening on the backside of the shower.

Things You Will Need

• Utility knife
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Pipe wrench
• Hack saw
• Copper tubing cutters
• Plastic pipe cutting snips
• Torch
• Tape measure
• PEX crimping tool
• Power drill
• Hole saw
• Conversion shower faucet cover plate
• Plumber's tape
• Copper pipe
• PEX pipe
• Pipe fittings
• Solder
• Flux
• Latex caulk
• Wood boards for bracing
• Manufactured plumbing support braces
• Steel to copper transition fittings

Tip

• If attaching copper pipes to the new faucet by soldering, first remove the plastic cartridge from the new faucet to prevent damaging it by excessive heat.

Warning

• Be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves while working.

High Tech Bathroom Faucets for Digital and Electronic Upgrades

Read article : High Tech Bathroom Faucets for Digital and Electronic Upgrades

The easiest way to upgrade your modern bathroom can be installing a new high tech bathroom faucet, and with today’s innovative technologies many digital and electronic faucets are available to the home owners. Whether it’s a sink faucet or a bidet mixer, there are plenty of high-tech ideas to choose from. If you’re remodeling, we want you to be aware of what’s available now. Read on for the coolest upgrades and sources.

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The high tech bathroom faucet Mood by Noken (above) is a digital sink faucet that comes with a display showing temperature and flow rate. It allows to set programs for teeth brushing, face and hands washing, as well as limits on temperature and flow. It has to be plugged in via a 9V transformer (included), and there is also a battery back-up.

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This faucet (above) is a pat of the Mood collection, a new modular bathroom concept that includes sinks and toilets integrated with mirrors, faucets and other bathroom accessories.

The digital display with electronic controls (above) enables the water flow and temperature to be customized for each use and user needs. Noken.

A bathroom faucet with a sliding temperature control – Regolo by CEA Designs. Not digital but no less cool, one slider controls both the water temperature and the flow.

This creative faucet (above) works with either horizontal or vertical installation. Just move the slider right and left or up and down. CEA Designs.

For those looking for modern aesthetics and trendy upgrade ideas, there is HansaLatrava, a high-tech bathroom faucet from Hansa (above). This electronic basin mixer creates a luxurious water experience with a fine water “curtain” achieved through the specially developed jet. Photographs by Octopus Design, the designers of this faucet.

An integrated control panel with two electronic push-buttons, one to turn it on and off and another to adjust water temperature with the visual help of a LED indicator. Power supply is included by Hansa.

This is totally high tech (above) – the HansaMurano X is a touch-free bathroom faucet activated by an infrared motion sensor that not only turns the water on and off but also senses when someone is approaching and turns on the light, presenting the sink with a pretty glow. The top surface also boasts two sensor buttons to set the temperature.

HansaMurano X was designed for Hansa by Bruno Sacco, a former chief designer at Daimler-Benz.

It’s also a waterfall faucet. “Water pours into sink in a broad but wafer-thin laminar spray, while the fine water curtain is created by a special jet former”. A glass layer is sandwiched between the two chrome plates, giving the faucet its characteristic look. Hansa.

For the ultra-modern high-tech upgrades, there is this cool bathroom faucet collection Ametis from Graff. It includes a vessel sink faucet, a countertop sink faucet, a wall-mounted sink faucet and a bidet faucet, all in single-lever design, and in 3 finishes – polished chrome, black, and white.

The lever on / off handle is a modern touch that maintains the sleek, slender lines of the faucet. A LED light ring around the lever indicates water temperature changes. Graff Faucets.

LED lights turn from blue to red and vice versa as the water temperature changes. A fluid design form with a sleek curve sets the Ametis faucets apart from the rest.

This matte black countertop faucet (above) would be a great fit for an ultra modern bathroom.

Above is the electronic bathroom faucet Nomos F4101 from Fima Carlo Frattini. Wow, it looks very high tech, and it can do a lot. Using the touchscreen display, Nomos allows you to regulate the water flow rate and water temperature, program your personal settings and check your water consumption. In addition, there is an on-screen comfort button that offers water at 38°C in an instant. The faucet will also sound alarm if something isn’t working right.

Nomos F4102 electronic sink faucet (above) has a pivoting spout, otherwise it offers the same features as F4101.

Two more faucets (above) from Fima Carlo Frattini with the same electronic touch-screen but in a more classic contemporary design and with a swivel spout – the bidet mixer Nomos GO F4112 and the lavatory mixer Nomos GO F4111.

Grohe has two digital bathroom faucets to offer with the same high tech wireless functionality: Grohe Veris F-Digital (above) and Grohe Allure F-Digital (below). These are some of the coolest faucets available on the market today as they are operated by a wireless Digital Controller that can be placed anywhere around the faucet.

The minimalist Grohe Allure F-digital sink faucet. The circular control has a square base plate to match the faucet design.

Grohe F-digital wireless Digital Controller changes its LED color from blue to red as temperature gets adjusted.
The On/Off button lets you start or stop the water, the Plus/Minus buttons let you adjust the temperature, and the Outside Dial lets you control the water flow by rotating it. The LED illuminated ring gives you instant visual feedback of the water temperature, and a memory function lets you memorize your preferred settings.

Two modern Grohe Veris F-Digital faucets installed on a double-sink vanity, with two wireless controllers placed side by side.

Grohe Veris F-digital wall-mount basin faucet with digital controller attached to natural stone.

Grohe Veris F-digital bidet faucet with digital controller (above).

The KWC ONO touch light PRO bathroom faucet (above) comes in multiple high-tech designs, suitable for a deck-mount or a wall-mount installation. This is not an ordinary faucet which is quite expected from KWC. For greater installation flexibility, it consists of three independent components – a spout, a programmable electronic control and a mixer valve – all three mounted each at its own location as found convenient.

The KWC ONO touch light PRO wall-mount sink faucet and its electronic touch control installed on the same plate.

Above is the KWC ONO touch light PRO electronic control, with two LED lighted rings. Tap briefly once for cold water (blue), twice for warm (orange) or three times for hot water (red), to call up the pre-defined settings. To set your preferred temperature, simply turn the control. To regulate flow, press and turn the control. To memorize your own settings, press the control and hold it down until the light ring shines purple.
There is also an option for a wireless control unit that can be placed anywhere in the room.

BLOK Electronic faucet from Treemme (above) is an interesting combination of an unusual faucet design and an electronic temperature indicator.

The glowing LED-illuminated ring is embedded within the spout, so you can monitor temperature of the water with ease. This attractive and useful feature adds a futuristic edge!

Faucet integrated into a shelf, Blok is a high tech bathroom solution that is very pleasing on the eye and useful at the same time. Treemme.

Grohe Ondus Digital bathroom faucet (above) is a part of the Grohe Ondus Faucet collection and is in a class of its own.

There are three electronic control options: either an integrated one (with a digital display, also integrated), as shown above, or an external wireless panel or both. Back-lit icons on the touch control make it look high-tech. And of course, the coolest feature – a back-lit digital display that shows temperature in large digits – adds to the futuristic look. For a complete list of exiting features, visit Grohe.

For a bathroom sink faucet, there are two designs available – a deck-mount and a wall-mount. And the deck-mount version can be purchased with an integrated aerator or with the Grohe Ondus flow straightener for a cleaner look (shown). Both designs come in several color combinations including one entirely black for a totally high tech appeal. Grohe.
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For more ideas on high tech bathroom upgrades, check out our shower head trends as well, and for the latest in all fixtures, check the modern bathroom furniture section.

How to avoid mistakes when choosing a mixer

Read article : How to avoid mistakes when choosing a mixer

The mixer is an important part of kitchen and bathroom, which directly affects our daily comfort. To verify this it is enough to recall their feelings when the faucet suddenly started to leak or even break. However, how to choose among the enormous diversity of models, especially if they want to save money and time and choose the mixer independently in the catalog online store? Let’s step by step walk through all the options that you should consider when choosing a mixer. The design of the mixers Any mixer is composed of standard structural components: body, spout, mechanism of mixing, control and aerator. The housing of the mixer can be molded or mobile. In the first case, the stationary housing is a mechanism of the spout, and the lever on the side of it. These faucets are reliable and easy to repair, but less convenient to operate. Swivel body allows for greater convenience and water savings, but may require periodic replacement of gaskets rotating part of the mechanism.
Spout or goose — this is the part of the faucet, from which water flows. When choosing a particular model, pay attention to the height of the spout (can be from 2 to 90 cm) and its length (3 to 5 cm). They should correlate with the dimensions of the tub or sink so that water is not hitting the boards, was not sprayed and you have enough space to wash dishes or hands. The aerator attaches to the tip of the spout and consists of a metal mesh through which water is mixed with air. The aerator makes the water pressure is more soft, uniform and comfortable. Different mechanisms of mixing water Depending on the design of the mixer may vary and the mechanism of mixing water in it. Should there be any doubt that this factor will significantly influence your comfort and his life Kran-buksa The usual inside valve mixer tap with two handles for temperature and water head is a device called a crane buxoi. It connects to the valve and directly responsible for the water supply. There are two basic types of crane-books: worm gear and ceramic. The mechanism of the worm tap-bushing is a screw, one end of which is connected with the valve and the other to a rod on which is fixed a strip of rubber. When rotating the crane, the screw moves along the thread inside the tap head parts, rubber gasket is moving around, opening or closing the water supply.
It is obvious that the rubber gasket in the process of operation will rapidly deteriorate, and although it is inexpensive, the trouble of regular changing pads is inevitable. Ceramic crane Bush is characterized by the presence of two ceramic disks, one of which is stationary and the other is attached to the stock. Rotation of the valve causes the alignment of the holes on the discs, the water flowing in the mixer, or displaces them and the water flow stops. This type of faucet head parts are more durable and easy to use, but are more expensive and sensitive to water quality, as even a small grain of sand between the discs could be damaged. In case of breakage, you will have to remove the faucet-the journal box and around a lot of shops to find the suitable for your model of mixer. Crane-axle mixers are usually affordable and easy to repair, but have a high consumption of water and not too easy to manage. Ball mechanism Faucets with ball mechanism equipped with a handle which is adjustable and pressure, and water temperature. They work on the same principle as ceramic crane Bush, but instead of the disks they are placed in a hollow metal sphere with three holes (for cold water, hot water and for mixing them). Cuff and gaskets, locking mechanism ball, fairly quickly wear out causing the faucet may begin to leak. Cartridge Cartridge single lever mixer consists of two discs made of ceramic, as in the case of ceramic valve-boxes, and is a single piece, which, in case of breakage, changing completely. It is compact, most durable and easy to control mechanism. From the design perspective, this option presents the greatest scope for choosing a suitable model mixer. However, you must remember that all single lever faucets are sensitive to water quality and preferably the installation of the pipes filters purification. Various options for the installation of faucets To choose a mixer, you will have to decide exactly where it will be installed, especially now that it offers lots of options for every shape and preferences. Installation options of the mixer: wall (if the bath and sink are so close that you can do it all with one mixer, but in new houses this option is not always possible, as the pipe system in them is hidden and divorced separately for sinks and baths); outdoor (very effective from the point of view of design, however, costly and requires a lot of space variant); embedded (all liner pipes hiding behind the body of the sink or bath); embedded in the rim of the tub (you can find the model of the bath, designed for this type of machine, or embed it in the normal acrylic bathtub); ceiling (ceiling shower can provide a whole range of pleasant sensations and different options of water flow, but not always convenient for technical purposes). Classification by application Do not think that the same mixer suitable for sink in the kitchen and in the bathroom, because they differ not only in design, but structurally, for example, the length and direction of the spout, methods of control and installation, and materials. Consider specific options. Basin mixer As a rule, modern sinks apply embedded single-lever faucet with short fixed spout. The spout height of 12-15 cm is sufficient for washing hands and washing, besides, it would suit almost any, even shallow sink. If the sink located in the bathroom next to the toilet, it makes sense to equip it with a hygienic shower, which are easy to replace and bidet can be installed to separate the bathroom without a sink. Its principle of operation is simple: water passes through the spout of the faucet above the sink, regulate its pressure and temperature. Basin mixer with hygienic shower fitted with a button, clicking which you direct the water flow through the hose. After water treatment, the key should be released and water will again run the spout into the sink. For kitchen sinks In the kitchen are commonly used built-in mixers. Their main difference from the models for bathroom is the shape and size of the spout. For most kitchen faucets are characterized by long, swivel spout, allowing you to wash even large pots. The higher spout, the stronger the water pressure, however, and the likelihood that it would be in a spray, which means you’ll need a sink with a deep bowl. Choose a sink and faucet for the kitchen at the same time it is desirable that their dimensions match each other.
Kitchen faucets include a wide variety of materials. Featuring not only brass, bronze and chrome, but the original mixers-metal and plastic. If the kitchen has a double sink or have the need to wash heavy dishware, you can install telescopic mixer, consisting of several hollow tubes. In this case it is better to choose a trusted manufacturer, because additional connections increase the risk of failure of joints, gaskets, etc. If you want a kitchen faucet it covered a large area, it offers mixers with the exhaust pipe. Inside a small decorative crane hides hose 1-1. 5 m as a conventional soul, which you can use to reach different areas of the kitchen. Bath First of all, we should note that the bathtub faucets can be combined with a shower. Shower faucets are compact and do not have switch shower-bath and the spout, since the water is immediately fed to shower heads. Bathtub faucets with shower — the most common and versatile option. They are usually equipped with low spout and can be either fixed or swivel (suitable if one mixer is used for baths and sinks). In addition, the kit usually comes with a height adjustable shower holder. For shower rack The reception is a bar with multiple shower heads and allows you to combine the functions of a bath and a shower stall. The top rack is stationary watering can, allowing you to change the mode of water flow and provide a massaging and relaxing effect. In addition to the upper lake on the rack is usually attached shower with flexible hose. The alternative is a wall panel lake of arbitrary shape, directing water on you in the form of small rain drops with massage effect, so, it was called “tropical storm”. Ceiling shower Ceiling shower is used to create the effect of home spa, which provides various modes of water supply from tight massage jets, relaxing rain. The size of the ceiling of the heads ranges from 15 to 50 cm in diameter and unusual. This is a great option for relaxation, but a regular shower with a flexible hose for domestic use you still need. Bidet There are various options of mixers for bidets. You can choose a universal model, similar to the conventional mixer, however, is equipped with aerator that allows you to change the direction of the jet. In addition to bidet will fit faucets with hose for hygienic shower and faucets with a spout for bidet function internal padding. In the latter case, the mixer is mounted on the bottom of the bowl. Manufacturers The choice of mixers to suit different tastes and wallet today. Among the budget include a variety of mixers from China. The price of these products are really small however, it is unlikely that you can count on any guarantee of quality. Inexpensive cost and models of domestic production, for example, brand Rossinka. If we talk about popular brands in the higher price categories, well-established in the domestic market, the most popular Grohe (Germany), Hansgrohe (Germany), Jacob Delafon (France), Roca (Spain), etc. In their collections you can find both simple and reliable model of the average price, and the more original and expensive options created by the famous designers. Special types of faucets Modern faucets can be equipped with additional features designed to make your daily life or professional activities more comfortable. Thermostatic mixers The thermostat ensures the water supply is strictly selected temperature and pressure, protecting from unpleasant surprises during water treatment. Thermostatic mixers can be electronic with display for settings and mechanical, does not require additional power source and tuning with levers and valves. Faucets with touch controls Touch mixer has levers and valves and consists only of a crane. It is equipped with a photocell that respond to movement in a zone of about 30 cm using the special lever you set the optimal temperature of the water, which will be switched on and off automatically. Touch mixer will save you from worrying about whether you turned off the faucet and does not burn the children. On the other hand, it is not suitable for the kitchen or for a set of baths, as there need each time different temperature. Basically touch faucets used in public restrooms to save water and hygiene. Cascading mixers Cascading mixers differ from the ordinary form of a spout, from which water flows a broad stream, resembling a waterfall. Their advantages are a stylish and original appearance, durability and the ability to separate installation when the crane is located at one end of the bath, and the controls in another, and the main drawback — relatively high cost. Faucets with suction shower for hairdressers For beauty salons for the convenience of the client and the master used special types of mixers with long pull-out shower. As a rule, they are single lever and is also equipped with an aerator to reduce splashing and ensure a softer stream of water even under strong pressure. Surgical faucets The main difference between surgical mixers — long handle that allows you to turn on and off the water with your elbow, not touching your hands to the mixer, which is caused by increased hygienic requirements. Such mixers can be installed at home, such as in the kitchen and for people with disabilities. Modern faucet is not just a utilitarian device, and the interior decoration, possible to ease your household chores and get pleasure from the water treatments. On the website santechsystemy.ru you can find truly wide selection of faucets for any type of premises, preferences and financial possibilities. You should go and see it for yourself!

Simple Changes for Making a Home Senior-Friendly

Read article : Simple Changes for Making a Home Senior-Friendly

Dear Savvy Senior,

What tips or products can you recommend to help make a home safer and more convenient for aging in place? My husband and I are in our 70s and don't have the money for any big renovations, but we want to do what we can to stay in our house as long as possible.

--Homebodies

Dear Homebodies,

There are lots of small adjustments and simple modifications you can do to make your home safer and livable as you age that are very inexpensive or completely free. Here are several to consider.

Fall-Proofing

Since falls are the leading cause of home injury among seniors, a good place to start is by picking up any possible clutter that can cause you to trip like newspapers, books, shoes, clothes, electrical or phone cords. If you have throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them. And if you have stairs, consider putting handrails on both sides.

Good lighting is also very important, so add lamps or light fixtures where needed, and install brighter full-spectrum bulbs in existing fixtures to improve visibility. Also purchase some inexpensive plug-in night lights for the bedroom, bathroom and hallways, and consider installing motion sensor lights outside the front and back doors and in the driveway.

In the bathroom get some non-skid bath rugs for the floors, put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub/shower and have a carpenter install grab bars inside the tub/shower.

And in the kitchen, organize your cabinets so the things you use most often are within easy reach without using a step stool.

Simple Modifications

Growing old can also bring about various physical limitations which can make your home more difficult to use. Some simple solutions, for example, that can help weak or arthritic hands is to replace round doorknobs with lever handles, or get some inexpensive doorknob lever adapters. The same goes for twist knob kitchen or bathroom faucets. You can easily replace them with lever faucet handles that you can purchase for a few dollars in most hardware stores, or get a single lever handle faucet installed.

In the kitchen, you can make your cabinets and pantry easier to access by installing pullout shelves or lazy susans. And D-shaped pull-handles for the cabinets and drawers are also recommended because they're more comfortable to grasp than knobs.

In the bathroom, consider getting a hand-held adjustable shower head installed and purchasing a shower or bathtub seat so you can shower from a safe seated position if need be. And for easier toilet access, purchase a toilet seat riser for a few dollars. This can make sitting down and standing up a little easier, especially if you're 6" or taller.

And, if you get to the point where you need to use a walker or wheelchair, you can adapt your house by installing ramps on entrance steps, and mini-ramps to go over high entrance thresholds. And, you can widen the doorways an additional two inches by installing "swing clear" offset door hinges.

More Tips

For many more tips, visit The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, and see "The AARP Home Fit Guide" which offers dozens of modification suggestions to make your home safe and livable as you age.

Or, if you want personalized help, get an in-home assessment with an occupational therapist, or OT, who can evaluate your home, make modification recommendations and refer you to products and services to help you make improvements. Medicare will pay for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by a doctor. Ask your physician for a referral.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.

Renovate a 1950s Bathroom | Family Handyman

Read article : Renovate a 1950s Bathroom | Family Handyman

Big splash, low budget

Some say that if you wait long enough, Everything—including 1950s bathrooms— comes back in style. But “in style” doesn't necessarily mean “in perfect shape” or “in sync with today's lifestyle.” Such was the case with the bathroom shown here. Moisture problems had caused peeling paint and sticking vanity drawers, while 50 years of wear and tear had taken a toll on the grout, fixtures and hardware. However, the owners, Mary Jane and Bruce Pappas, saw too many things going for the space to completely gut it, such as unique tile work that was still in excellent shape.

“The whole point of buying this fifties house was to create our 21st century life here while honoring the original architecture and detail,” says Mary Jane, who is a professional interior designer. “Bruce and I wanted to complement and elevate what was already here and reuse as many materials as we could.” And by doing so, they were able to reach their goal of updated function on a modest budget. The couple were able to avoid expensive demolition work and get the bathroom they wanted for just under $5,000. “The results for the investment are extraordinary,” says Mary Jane Pappas.

Updated, But Still Original

This bathroom now has greater utility and a clean, contemporary look— without breaking the bank.

Updated bathroom

ReDO, reuse, recycle

Vintage tile

The vanity's vintage “Sputnik” tile pattern inspired the khaki color scheme of the bathroom and adjoining bedroom.

New rollouts, old cabinet

The vanity cabinet is original, but for about $1,500, the new door and drawers were constructed with wipe-clean Melamine bottoms and maple sides decked out with metal slides.

Updated storage closet

Adjustable shelving with Melamine surfaces was added along with a replacement tissue box holder. A hidden cabinet outlet keeps a hair dryer ready to roll and the electric toothbrushes charged.

After adding an exhaust fan to handle the moisture problem, they began dealing with the cosmetics, as explained by Mary Jane Pappas.

Freshening tiled surfaces
A professional tiler was brought in to repair the period tiles that had seen 53 years of bathroom life. By tuckpointing broken edges and freshening the grout, the tiler brought the surfaces up to standard. “The tile is unique to the era; we embraced the retro feel of it. It was in great shape and worth saving.”

Vanity drawers and doors
Another great example of the couple's “reuse it” philosophy lies in their treatment of the vanity. Years of water damage had made the drawers difficult to open, but instead of scrapping the entire piece, the Pappases hired Thomas J. Ross of Ross Custom Cabinetry Inc. to build new rollout drawers and cabinet doors for it and adjustable shelving for the attached linen closet. “Before, the cabinet drawers were only simple wooden boxes resting in a wooden cabinet. It was a struggle to pull 'wood-on-wood' drawers, especially when they were damp. Now that they're equipped to glide on rollers, it's like having a new piece of furniture. And when you think of the floor, tile and drywall work that we would have incurred had we demolished and installed all new cabinetry, that decision saved thousands.”

Paint, pulls and hinges
The vanity face-lift continued with several coats of an enamel paint and re-chromed hinges and the addition of contemporary drawer pulls. “We re-chromed the hinges because the plates had a unique screw pattern and I didn't want to add any additional screw holes to the vanity and risk the old holes showing.” The original mirror was saved by painting its trim the same color as the vanity.

Sink faucet
The Pappases wanted to add a soap pump and a water filter to their bath sink. By changing the old, widespread faucet for a single-lever faucet, they were able to avoid the expense of either buying a new sink or drilling new holes. The change in style left two unused holes for the new accessories.

Lighting
The old sconces were replaced with lights that better match the new drawer pulls and add a contemporary flair to the room.

Keepers! The '50s heat fan and tissue dispenser
The couple wanted to maintain the items that, like the heat fan, were still stylishly serving a useful function in the bathroom. “It's a nice amenity and it still worked, so why get rid of that?” They were even able to save the original metal tissue dispenser housed in the linen cabinet. It could no longer hold tissue boxes because the dispenser slot was vertical instead of the modern horizontal style. “But the same company, Brobick, now offers a replacement dispenser that fits tissue boxes perfectly.”

The tub
Replacing a bathtub affects the tile surrounding it, the walls above it and the plumbing below it. Keeping the existing tub saves tremendous time and money. So the tub stayed put, while some of the more easily changed elements around it were replaced. One of the first changes was to oust the shower door. “In a small bathroom, a flexible shower curtain creates a sense of spaciousness. And I use my bathtub every day, so a shower door is just not practical,” Pappas says. The original tub had a single showerhead with a bathtub faucet. Now a low-cradled hand shower, perfect for tub bathers, easily sets into an adjustable height showerhead fixture, adding to the usefulness and elegance of the bathroom.

Simple details make the difference

Custom blind

Instead of settling for an off-white window blind in the bathroom, Pappas used a window blind company to create a custom window treatment to match the wall color. (Small rooms appear even smaller with a different color window treatment.) “For $175, getting an exact color match is a great deal,” says Pappas.

Towels and rugs

The towels and bathroom rug proved to be a shopping challenge. “I wanted to find rich colors to work with the khaki walls and the cabinetry. I found high-quality towels I love from an online store, but searched and searched for a matching rug that would stand up to a wet environment. Finally I had a custom one handmade to match,” says Pappas.

Shower curtain pull

A last little splurge of elegance lies in the Kravet silk tassel shower curtain pull ($75). Costing half as much as the Restoration Hardware shower curtain itself, the tassel adds a touch of luxury to this otherwise thrifty remodel.

Having saved a bundle by retrofitting many existing systems in the bathroom, the Pappases had some budget left to indulge in a few accessories.